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Braingle: Brain Teasers, Puzzles, Riddles and More - Braingle
Grades
3 to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Exercise your gray matter by solving one of the 12,000 'braingles' at this site. It purports to be the largest collection of puzzles, riddles, mind games, etc, on the ...more
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Exercise your gray matter by solving one of the 12,000 'braingles' at this site. It purports to be the largest collection of puzzles, riddles, mind games, etc, on the Internet. Once you explore the site, you trust their word. The site is mobile phone and wii-friendly. Don't miss the section with SAT vocab (in Mentalrobics). There are articles on study skills and strategies such as clearing your mind before studying, "chunking" when reading, or various strategies to memorize material. Engage students into math and reading exercises through the endless riddles and puzzles at this site. They won't even be aware they are 'reading' or 'solving math.'
In the Classroom
Start class with a "warm-up" brain teaser. Or include this link on your teacher web page (with a caution about parental supervision for younger ones). Site creators claim the entire site is family-friendly, safe for classroom use. Portions of the site require membership, and the membership level that displays ads is free. You may want to set up a CLASS account and use it under controlled circumstances since there are forums and chat rooms, however. Or ask your tech folks to block the portion of the site that includes "community" in the URL (http://www.braingle.com/community/) to avoid having to deal with forums, chat rooms, etc.(If you are lucky enough to have such helpful tech support, make them cookies once in awhile!)You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Math Presentations - Jefferson County Schools
Grades
K to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
If you are teaching a new math concept or want to review an already-introduced math skill, you must visit this website. The site provides free PowerPoint presentations on numerous...more
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If you are teaching a new math concept or want to review an already-introduced math skill, you must visit this website. The site provides free PowerPoint presentations on numerous math topics. There are presentations for grades K-5 and 6-12. There are over 100 math topics available. Use these free resources to help simplify the complexities of mathematics in your classroom. You may need PowerPoint software on your computer to view these files, depending upon how the site creators saved them. Roll your mouse over the words slowly to see which shows can be played directly from the site and which you must download to your computer to run from there. This site has heavy advertising at the top of the landing page. Scroll down to find the presentations.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Try these ready-to-go PowerPoint presentations on an interactive whiteboard or projector in your classroom. Some may also be well-suited for individual students to run on a single classroom computer for remediation or review. There are games, resources and a lot of information. The site includes a disclaimer asking to be notified if users find any unauthorized, copyrighted material. TeachersFirst recommends that you NOT download copies but instead use them online, just in case.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Substitute Survival: Tools You Can Use - Education World
Grades
K to 12
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This website provides substitutes with practical advice on surviving in a classroom. Most of the tips, websites and lesson ideas are more suitable for elementary or middle school, but...more
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This website provides substitutes with practical advice on surviving in a classroom. Most of the tips, websites and lesson ideas are more suitable for elementary or middle school, but many of the tips are practical in any classroom, any grade and any subject matter. New teachers and those headed into student teaching would be wise to read it, as well.
In the Classroom
Substitutes - don't go into the trenches empty handed, print out this useful survival guide (or make it a TeachersFirst Favorite so you can find it anytime) and be prepared for the unexpected!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Math Starter of the Day - Transum Software
Grades
4 to 8
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This math website provides daily "math starters" in a variety of mathematic topics. There is one activity per day (366 for each year). This website provides a variety ...more
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This math website provides daily "math starters" in a variety of mathematic topics. There is one activity per day (366 for each year). This website provides a variety of math challenges that are creative, engaging, and easy to incorporate into your classroom routine.
In the Classroom
Use an interactive whiteboard or projector to share this website to start your math class. The activities are sure to clear the cobwebs in your students' minds. There is something for everyone.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Logic and Reasoning Games - Math Playground
Grades
K to 12
9 Favorites
0 Comments
Use this website to "clear out the cobwebs" in your students' minds. The site offers several interactive logic activities. Many require no reading. A few examples include Tetris, Rubik's...more
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Use this website to "clear out the cobwebs" in your students' minds. The site offers several interactive logic activities. Many require no reading. A few examples include Tetris, Rubik's Cube, Sliders, Towers and more.
In the Classroom
Use one of these on an interactive whiteboard as a brain warm-up at the beginning of class or as student enter the room. If you have a difficult group in a study hall, this site could keep them busy in a positive way. Substitutes will also love it! Include this link in your class's newsletter, classroom computer, or teacher web page for extra challenges and enrichment. Teachers of gifted can challenge their students to write "how to" directions for how to solve these puzzles, once they have figured them out!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Lateral Puzzles - WebRing
Grades
3 to 12
9 Favorites
0 Comments
Build higher level thinking skills, especially flexibility in how students visualize and interpret a brief story. This challenging and interactive website has Lateral puzzles, both...more
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Build higher level thinking skills, especially flexibility in how students visualize and interpret a brief story. This challenging and interactive website has Lateral puzzles, both "active" and "solved." Registration is required if you guess an answer to one of the "active" puzzles. Registration is not necessary for reading the puzzles and clues. This site gives a lateral puzzle, and then the readers can ask questions to the original poster. Some of the "solved" puzzles could be used with younger students. However, the site is geared towards middle school and high school aged students.
Not sure what a Lateral Puzzle is? Read the FAQ section!
Not sure what a Lateral Puzzle is? Read the FAQ section!
In the Classroom
Challenge your class with a "lateral puzzle of the day". This site would be perfect for your gifted students or to get everyone thinking at the start of class. Be sure to include the link on your web page! For an extra challenge when students have mastered the puzzles, ask them to analyze how they work and write some of their own.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Math Contest - Ole' Miss
Grades
3 to 12
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Find a problem of the week for elementary, middle and high school (algebra) as well as archived past problems on this simple site. You can submit your correct answer and ...more
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Find a problem of the week for elementary, middle and high school (algebra) as well as archived past problems on this simple site. You can submit your correct answer and get your name listed as a winner for that week. New problems appear on Mondays.
In the Classroom
Include this link on your teacher web page or start class with it each week on a projector, giving extra credit to those whose names appear on the web page by the weekend!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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What's Wrong With These Pictures? - NIEHS Kids
Grades
K to 1
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This interactive, online difference game uses shapes, colors, and animal images for a "one of these things is not like the others" game. ...more
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This interactive, online difference game uses shapes, colors, and animal images for a "one of these things is not like the others" game.
In the Classroom
Include this as a link for children to try at home or use it on an interactive whiteboard with your children. It would also make a good center activity.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion - Annette Whipple
Grades
K to 6
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Discover the pioneer world of Laura Ingalls Wilder with this blog. Under "Live Like Laura" from the top menu find Activities, Crafts, Recipes, and Pioneer Living. Find blog posts and...more
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Discover the pioneer world of Laura Ingalls Wilder with this blog. Under "Live Like Laura" from the top menu find Activities, Crafts, Recipes, and Pioneer Living. Find blog posts and a few videos about the Cat's Cradle game, Gardening Activities, information about the Grasshopper Plague, Word Searches, Trivia Searches, and too much more to list here. This informative site is a must see for anyone who loves Laura Ingalls Wilder or teaches the books with all puzzles, activities, and images of people in clothing of the time and places in Laura's life.
In the Classroom
Use an interactive whiteboard or projector to introduce your students to the lovely Laura Ingalls Wilder. After introducing the site, ask students to read parts of the blog in pairs or small groups. If you are beginning the process of integrating technology, have students replace pen and paper and create their own blogs sharing their learning and understanding using Weebly, reviewed here. If you are teaching younger students and looking for an easy way to integrate technology and check for understanding challenge your students to replace pencil and paper and create a blog using Seesaw, reviewed here. Take this a step further with older students and enhance student learning by asking them to use their blog entries to create an interactive timeline of Laura's life using Knightlab's multimedia timeline creator, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Analytical Problems And Puzzles - folj.com
Grades
3 to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
This very simple site, created by an anonymous puzzle-lover, is a treasury for logic problems and lateral thinking puzzles to use in your classroom or beyond. Click on the puzzle ...more
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This very simple site, created by an anonymous puzzle-lover, is a treasury for logic problems and lateral thinking puzzles to use in your classroom or beyond. Click on the puzzle type you want. Use them as brain warm-ups in a math or science class before venturing into problem-solving or inquiry process or simply to engage the brains before starting any activity. There are different levels of logic and different types of lateral thinking puzzles, each with a hint before revealing the complete answer. These puzzles would also be useful for gifted enrichment.
In the Classroom
If you don't have time to spend on these in class as often as you would like, print out a single lateral thinking or logic problem each week for your bulletin board and let the students argue about it all week. Or include this link on your teacher website for the students to access outside of class. This site is a life-saver for your study hall the day before a vacation!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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World Geography Quizzes - Sheppard Software
Grades
3 to 12
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With such poor results as a nation on geography testing, we all should try these geography games to build student knowledge of U.S. and world geography. Students can click on ...more
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With such poor results as a nation on geography testing, we all should try these geography games to build student knowledge of U.S. and world geography. Students can click on the region of the world and practice at different levels of difficulty. Even adults can find a challenge. Offered in a "dial up version" for those accessing the sites from a slower connection.
In the Classroom
Be sure to put a link for these online games and quizzes on your teacher web page for the summer and throughout the school year. Students can use them to practice for your geography quizzes or as extra challenges. The different levels of dificulty will allow you to differentiate your instruction easily.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Matchstick Puzzles - zefrank.com
Grades
5 to 12
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These six puzzles, involving virtual matchsticks, require some clever out-of-the-box thinking. Follow the directions to create a specific number of equal rectangles by moving a limited...more
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These six puzzles, involving virtual matchsticks, require some clever out-of-the-box thinking. Follow the directions to create a specific number of equal rectangles by moving a limited number of matches. It's tougher than it looks. No hints given!
In the Classroom
This is a great find for gifted students. Share the site on an interactive whiteboard or projector, and allow students to work on the puzzles in teams. Have the teams compete to see who can solve the puzzles the fastest, or complete the most. This site is tricky, but is an excellent enrichment activity for a unit on logic or geometry.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Random Sudoku
Grades
7 to 12
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Any Sudoku fans in your classroom? Send them to this site that provides problem-solving techniques, helpful for successfully conquering some of the most fiendish puzzles. Learn about...more
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Any Sudoku fans in your classroom? Send them to this site that provides problem-solving techniques, helpful for successfully conquering some of the most fiendish puzzles. Learn about crosshatching, slicing and dicing, and "penciling in." Discover the five rules that stress finding numbers for squares, rather than finding squares for umbers. This truly is a site for the Sudoku aficionados among us.
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Scrabble
Grades
5 to 12
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The challenge and creativity of the original board game comes alive in this virtual version. Review the available tools that can undo, redo, withdraw, sort, and even save an ...more
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The challenge and creativity of the original board game comes alive in this virtual version. Review the available tools that can undo, redo, withdraw, sort, and even save an uncompleted game. Although this "solitaire" Scrabble game misses the group interaction of the traditional version, it provides a great opportunity for creative, independent thought related to spelling and vocabulary.
In the Classroom
This "just for fun" activity can be utilized as a meaningful reward for completing class work early. Channel students to this site for some vocabulary building during down-time.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Kids Soup - Ear Twiggles Productions
Grades
K to 3
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Find easy-to-make winter crafts and games - perfect for early elementary students. Includes printable patterns and step-by-step instructions. ...more
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Find easy-to-make winter crafts and games - perfect for early elementary students. Includes printable patterns and step-by-step instructions.
In the Classroom
You might want to pass this on to parents anxious for at-home "snow day" activities. SHare it with parent volunteers who will be helping plan class parties, as well.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mankala - Roger E. Critchlow, Jr.
Grades
7 to 12
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Most students are familiar with the traditional Mankala game that uses a rectangular wooden board and stones, but this online version adds a few interesting options and variations....more
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Most students are familiar with the traditional Mankala game that uses a rectangular wooden board and stones, but this online version adds a few interesting options and variations. Read the instructions carefully! Students can play against the computer or with a partner.
In the Classroom
Add this mind-stretching game of strategy to a unit on African history and culture. A nice activity to add to a celebration of Black History Month.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Brain Food - Rinkworks
Grades
5 to 8
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Word games, logic problems, and riddles can provide invaluable problem-solving practice for your students, regardless of your subject area. This site offers links to hundreds of challenging...more
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Word games, logic problems, and riddles can provide invaluable problem-solving practice for your students, regardless of your subject area. This site offers links to hundreds of challenging activities that will provide a work-out for the mind.
In the Classroom
Use these activities as enrichment options in your classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Ultimate Puzzle Site
Grades
4 to 12
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This collection of puzzles, riddles, brainteasers, and interactive tests challenges students to think outside of the box and improve their analytical skills while having fun. Puzzles...more
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This collection of puzzles, riddles, brainteasers, and interactive tests challenges students to think outside of the box and improve their analytical skills while having fun. Puzzles are graded by level of difficulty and the amount of math needed to arrive at a solution.
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Activities: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - TeachersFirst
Grades
4 to 8
1 Favorites
0 Comments
TeachersFirst offers a chapter-by-chapter set of activities for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix . Designed to be used after each chapter, the activities include science...more
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TeachersFirst offers a chapter-by-chapter set of activities for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix . Designed to be used after each chapter, the activities include science searches, writing, and art projects suitable for individual or group use. The ideas and activities ask you to respond, extend, discuss, create, and more. There is simply no better way to try new "After Reading" strategies. Don't miss this great collection as a way to encourage anyone to get the most from reading and re-reading a new favorite. Find links to activities for two other Harry Potter books on the Intro page.
In the Classroom
Share the link on your teacher web page or in a parent newsletter, if you don't have time to do all the activities at school. Challenge students to design similar activities to accompany other Harry Potter (or other favorite) books.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Activities: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - TeachersFirst
Grades
4 to 8
2 Favorites
1 Comments
TeachersFirst offers a set of chapter-by-chapter response activities for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Use art, writing, and web research to answer questions or think...more
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TeachersFirst offers a set of chapter-by-chapter response activities for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Use art, writing, and web research to answer questions or think about the issues in a particular chapter. Ideal for individual use, and many of these could serve as the basis for a group discussion on topics like loyalty and leadership. The ideas and activities ask you to respond, extend, discuss, create, and more. There is simply no better way to try new "After Reading strategies. Don't miss this great collection as a way to encourage anyone to get the most from reading and re-reading a new favorite. Find links to two other sets of Harry Potter book activities on the Intro page.
In the Classroom
Share the link on your teacher web page or in a parent newsletter, if you don't have time to do all the activities at school. Ask students to design similar activities to accompany other Harry Potter (or other favorite) books.Comments
Very good way of planning.kel, GA, Grades: 3 - 5
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